U.S. patent application number 17/549869 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-31 for wireless communication method using fragmentation and wireless communication terminal using same.
The applicant listed for this patent is SK TELECOM CO., LTD., WILUS INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY INC.. Invention is credited to Woojin AHN, Geonjung KO, Jinsam KWAK, Juhyung SON.
Application Number | 20220104067 17/549869 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006026086 |
Filed Date | 2022-03-31 |
![](/patent/app/20220104067/US20220104067A1-20220331-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20220104067/US20220104067A1-20220331-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20220104067/US20220104067A1-20220331-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20220104067/US20220104067A1-20220331-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20220104067/US20220104067A1-20220331-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20220104067/US20220104067A1-20220331-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20220104067/US20220104067A1-20220331-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20220104067/US20220104067A1-20220331-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20220104067/US20220104067A1-20220331-D00008.png)
![](/patent/app/20220104067/US20220104067A1-20220331-D00009.png)
![](/patent/app/20220104067/US20220104067A1-20220331-D00010.png)
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20220104067 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AHN; Woojin ; et
al. |
March 31, 2022 |
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION METHOD USING FRAGMENTATION AND WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION TERMINAL USING SAME
Abstract
Provided is a wireless communication terminal that communicates
wirelessly. The terminal includes: a transceiver; and a processor.
The processor is configured to transmit first information on a
fragmentation level to be used for data to be transmitted to a
recipient by using the transceiver in an add Block ACK (ADDBA)
setup procedure.
Inventors: |
AHN; Woojin; (Gyeonggi-do,
KR) ; SON; Juhyung; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; KWAK;
Jinsam; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; KO; Geonjung;
(Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WILUS INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY INC.
SK TELECOM CO., LTD. |
Gyeonggi-do
Seoul |
|
KR
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006026086 |
Appl. No.: |
17/549869 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16151304 |
Oct 3, 2018 |
11240705 |
|
|
17549869 |
|
|
|
|
PCT/KR2017/003698 |
Apr 4, 2017 |
|
|
|
16151304 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 28/04 20130101;
H04L 1/1864 20130101; H04L 1/1614 20130101; H04W 28/065 20130101;
H04W 28/0205 20130101; H04W 80/02 20130101; H04L 47/24 20130101;
H04W 28/06 20130101; H04L 1/1635 20130101; H04L 1/1896
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 28/04 20060101
H04W028/04; H04W 28/06 20060101 H04W028/06; H04L 1/16 20060101
H04L001/16; H04L 1/18 20060101 H04L001/18; H04W 28/02 20060101
H04W028/02; H04W 80/02 20060101 H04W080/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 4, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0041302 |
May 14, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0059181 |
May 20, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0062424 |
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. A wireless communication terminal that is an originator for
transmitting data, the wireless communication terminal comprising:
a transceiver; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured
to: insert first information into 2 bits field of an add Block ACK
(ADDBA) request frame, wherein the first information indicates a
fragmentation level to be used when the wireless communication
terminal transmits data corresponding to a specific Traffic
Identifier (TID) to the recipient, transmit the ADDBA request frame
to a recipient by using the transceiver, receive an ADDBA response
frame from the recipient by using the transceiver, obtain second
information from 2 bits field of the ADDBA response frame, wherein
the second information indicates the fragmentation level of a
fragment that the recipient is capable of receiving when the
recipient receives the data corresponding to the specific TID, and
fragment the data corresponding to the specific TID at a
fragmentation level equal to or lower than the fragmentation level
indicated by the second information, wherein the fragmentation
level indicates a degree of fragmentation and is divided into four
levels which includes a level in which a fragmentation of the data
is not allowed.
21. A method of operating a wireless communication terminal that is
an originator for transmitting data, the method comprising:
inserting first information into an add block ACK (ADDBA) request
frame; and transmitting the ADDBA request frame to a recipient,
receiving an ADDBA response frame from the recipient by using the
transceiver, obtaining second information from 2 bits field of the
ADDBA response frame, wherein the second information indicates a
fragmentation level of a fragment that the recipient is capable of
receiving when the recipient receives the data corresponding to the
specific TID, and fragmenting the data corresponding to the
specific TID at a fragmentation level equal to or lower than the
fragmentation level indicated by the second information, wherein
the first information indicates the fragmentation level indicating
a degree of fragmentation to be used when the wireless
communication terminal transmits data corresponding to a specific
Traffic Identifier (TID) to the recipient, wherein the
fragmentation level is divided into four levels which includes a
level in which a fragmentation of the data is not allowed.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication
method and a wireless communication terminal using
fragmentation.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In recent years, with supply expansion of mobile
apparatuses, a wireless communication technology that can provide a
rapid wireless Internet service to the mobile apparatuses has been
significantly spotlighted. The wireless communication technology
allows mobile apparatuses including a smart phone, a smart pad, a
laptop computer, a portable multimedia player, an embedded
apparatus, and the like to wirelessly access the Internet in home
or a company or a specific service providing area.
[0003] One of most famous wireless communication technology is
wireless LAN technology. Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 has commercialized or developed various
technological standards since an initial wireless LAN technology is
supported using frequencies of 2.4 GHz. First, the IEEE 802.11b
supports a communication speed of a maximum of 11 Mbps while using
frequencies of a 2.4 GHz band. IEEE 802.11a which is commercialized
after the IEEE 802.11b uses frequencies of not the 2.4 GHz band but
a 5 GHz band to reduce an influence by interference as compared
with the frequencies of the 2.4 GHz band which are significantly
congested and improves the communication speed up to a maximum of
54 Mbps by using an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
(OFDM) technology. However, the IEEE 802.11a has a disadvantage in
that a communication distance is shorter than the IEEE 802.11b. In
addition, IEEE 802.11g uses the frequencies of the 2.4 GHz band
similarly to the IEEE 802.11b to implement the communication speed
of a maximum of 54 Mbps and satisfies backward compatibility to
significantly come into the spotlight and further, is superior to
the IEEE 802.11a in terms of the communication distance.
[0004] Moreover, as a technology standard established to overcome a
limitation of the communication speed which is pointed out as a
weak point in a wireless LAN, IEEE 802.11n has been provided. The
IEEE 802.11n aims at increasing the speed and reliability of a
network and extending an operating distance of a wireless network.
In more detail, the IEEE 802.11n supports a high throughput (HT) in
which a data processing speed is a maximum of 540 Mbps or more and
further, is based on a multiple inputs and multiple outputs (MIMO)
technology in which multiple antennas are used at both sides of a
transmitting unit and a receiving unit in order to minimize a
transmission error and optimize a data speed. Further, the standard
can use a coding scheme that transmits multiple copies which
overlap with each other in order to increase data reliability.
[0005] As the supply of the wireless LAN is activated and further,
applications using the wireless LAN are diversified, the need for
new wireless LAN systems for supporting a higher throughput (very
high throughput (VHT)) than the data processing speed supported by
the IEEE 802.11n has come into the spotlight. Among them, IEEE
802.11ac supports a wide bandwidth (80 to 160 MHz) in the 5 GHz
frequencies. The IEEE 802.11ac standard is defined only in the 5
GHz band, but initial 11ac chipsets will support even operations in
the 2.4 GHz band for the backward compatibility with the existing
2.4 GHz band products. Theoretically, according to the standard,
wireless LAN speeds of multiple stations are enabled up to a
minimum of 1 Gbps and a maximum single link speed is enabled up to
a minimum of 500 Mbps. This is achieved by extending concepts of a
wireless interface accepted by 802.11n, such as a wider wireless
frequency bandwidth (a maximum of 160 MHz), more MIMO spatial
streams (a maximum of 8), multi-user MIMO, and high-density
modulation (a maximum of 256 QAM). Further, as a scheme that
transmits data by using a 60 GHz band instead of the existing 2.4
GHz/5 GHz, IEEE 802.11ad has been provided. The IEEE 802.11ad is a
transmission standard that provides a speed of a maximum of 7 Gbps
by using a beamforming technology and is suitable for high bit rate
moving picture streaming such as massive data or non-compression HD
video. However, since it is difficult for the 60 GHz frequency band
to pass through an obstacle, it is disadvantageous in that the 60
GHz frequency band can be used only among devices in a
short-distance space.
[0006] Meanwhile, in recent years, as next-generation wireless
communication technology standards after the 802.11ac and 802.11ad,
discussion for providing a high-efficiency and high-performance
wireless communication technology in a high-density environment is
continuously performed. That is, in a next-generation wireless
communication technology environment, communication having high
frequency efficiency needs to be provided indoors/outdoors under
the presence of high-density terminals and base terminals and
various technologies for implementing the communication are
required.
[0007] Especially, as the number of devices using a wireless
communication technology increases, it is necessary to efficiently
use a predetermined channel Therefore, required is a technology
capable of efficiently using bandwidths by simultaneously
transmitting data between a plurality of terminals and base
terminals.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0008] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to
provide a wireless communication terminal using fragmentation.
Technical Solution
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention,
provided is a wireless communication terminal that is an originator
for transmitting data, the wireless communication terminal
including: a transceiver; and a processor, wherein the processor is
configured to transmit first information on a fragmentation level
to be used for data to be transmitted to a recipient by using the
transceiver in an add Block ACK (ADDBA) setup procedure.
[0010] The first information may relate to a fragmentation level to
be used when transmitting data corresponding to a specific TID to
the recipient.
[0011] The processor may be configured to receive second
information from the recipient by using the transceiver, and
determine a fragmentation level of data corresponding to the
specific TID based on the second information, wherein the second
information may be information on a fragmentation level of a
fragment that the recipient is capable of receiving when the
recipient receives data corresponding to the specific TID.
[0012] The processor may fragment data corresponding to the
specific TID at a fragmentation level equal to or lower than the
fragmentation level indicated by the second information.
[0013] The processor may be configured to insert the first
information into the ADDBA request frame and transmit the ADDBA
request frame to the recipient.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention,
provided is a wireless communication terminal that is a recipient
for receiving data, the wireless communication terminal including:
a transceiver; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured
to receive first information from an originator that is to transmit
data by using the transceiver, wherein the first information is
information on a fragmentation level to be used by the originator
for data to be transmitted to the wireless communication
terminal.
[0015] The first information may be information on a fragmentation
level that the originator is to use when transmitting data
corresponding to a specific TID to the wireless communication
terminal.
[0016] The processor may be configured to transmit second
information to the originator by using the transceiver, wherein the
second information may be information on a fragmentation level of a
fragment that the wireless communication terminal is capable of
receiving when the wireless communication terminal receives data
corresponding to the specific TID.
[0017] The processor may be configured to receive an Add Block ACK
(ADDBA) request frame from the originator and obtain the first
information from the ADDBA request frame.
[0018] The processor may be configured to insert second information
into an ADDBA response frame, and transmit the ADDBA response frame
to the originator, wherein the second information may be
information on a fragmentation level of a fragment that the
wireless communication terminal is capable of receiving.
[0019] The processor may be configured to receive data from the
originator by using the transceiver, select a Block ACK frame
format based on the first information, and transmit a Block ACK
frame for data received from the originator according to the Block
ACK frame format.
[0020] The processor may be configured to select a Block ACK frame
format based on the first information.
[0021] The data may be transmitted through an A-MPDU, and the
Aggregate-MAC Protocol Data Unit (MPDU) may include at least one
fragment, wherein when the fragment number of the at least one
fragment is all 0, the processor may be configured to transmit a
Block ACK frame including a bit map of which each bit indicates
whether each MAC Service Data Unit (MSDU) is received.
[0022] The data may be transmitted through the A-MPDU, wherein when
all the MPDUs included in the A-MPDU are received, the processor
may be configured to transmit a Block ACK frame including a bit map
of which each bit indicates whether each MAC Service Data Unit
(MSDU) is received.
[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention,
provided is an operation method of a wireless communication
terminal that is an originator for transmitting data, the method
including: inserting first information on a fragmentation level to
be used for data to be transmitted to a recipient into an add block
ACK (ADDBA) request frame; and transmitting the ADDBA request frame
to the recipient.
[0024] The first information may relate to a fragmentation level to
be used when transmitting data corresponding to a specific TID to
the recipient.
[0025] The method may further include: receiving an ADDBA response
frame from the recipient by using the transceiver, obtaining second
information from the ADDBA response frame; and determining a
fragmentation level of data corresponding to the specific TID based
on the second information, wherein the second information may be
information on a fragmentation level of a fragment that the
recipient is capable of receiving when the recipient receives data
corresponding to the specific TID.
[0026] The determining the fragmentation level of the data
corresponding to the specific TID may include determining the
fragmentation level of data corresponding to the specific TID as a
fragmentation level equal to or lower than a fragmentation level
indicated by the second information.
[0027] A size of a Buffer Size field value of the ADDBA request
frame may implicitly represent the first information, wherein the
Buffer Size field may indicate information on a buffer size
required for the data transmission.
Advantageous Effects
[0028] An embodiment of the present invention provides a
communication method using fragmentation and a wireless
communication terminal using the same.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a wireless LAN system according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a wireless LAN system according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating a configuration of
a station according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating a configuration of
an access point according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a process that a station sets an access point
and a link according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows a method of transmitting information on a
fragmentation level using ADDBA according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0035] FIG. 7 shows the format of an ADDBA request frame and an
ADDBA response frame signaling information on a fragmentation level
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 8 shows a MAC frame format for signaling information on
a fragmentation level according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0037] FIG. 9 shows the format of an ADDBA response frame and an
ADDBA request frame signaling information on a fragmentation level
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 10 shows the format of an ADDBA response frame and an
ADDBA request frame signaling information on a fragmentation level
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 11 shows the format of a trigger frame that signals
information on a fragmentation level according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 12 shows the format of a trigger frame that signals
information on a fragmentation level according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 13 shows a format of a Capabilities element for
signaling information indicating the processing capability of a
wireless communication terminal according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0042] FIG. 14 shows a Block ACK frame format according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 15 shows a method of transmitting a Block ACK frame
according to an embodiment of the present invention by a wireless
communication terminal supporting fragmentation level: level 3.
[0044] FIG. 16 shows a method of transmitting a Block ACK frame
according to another embodiment of the present invention by a
wireless communication terminal supporting fragmentation level:
level 3.
[0045] FIG. 17 shows a method of transmitting a Block ACK frame
according to another embodiment of the present invention by a
wireless communication terminal supporting fragmentation level:
level 3.
[0046] FIGS. 18 to 20 show a method of transmitting a Block ACK
frame indicating All ACK according to another embodiment of the
present invention by a wireless communication terminal supporting a
fragmentation level: level 3.
[0047] FIG. 21 shows an operation in which a wireless communication
terminal supporting a fragmentation level: level 3 transmits a
Block ACK frame including a Block ACK Bitmap field indicating
whether a fragment is received according to another embodiment of
the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 22 shows the operation of a wireless communication
terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0049] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in
different forms and should not be constructed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein. Parts not relating to description are
omitted in the drawings in order to clearly describe the present
invention and like reference numerals refer to like elements
throughout.
[0050] Furthermore, when it is described that one comprises (or
includes or has) some elements, it should be understood that it may
comprise (or include or has) only those elements, or it may
comprise (or include or have) other elements as well as those
elements if there is no specific limitation.
[0051] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2016-0041302 (2016.04.04), Nos.
10-2016-0059181 (2016.05.14), and Nos. 10-2016-0062424 (2016.05.20)
filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and the
embodiments and mentioned items described in the respective
applications are included in the Detailed Description of the
present application.
[0052] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication
system according to an embodiment of the present invention. For
convenience of description, an embodiment of the present invention
is described through the wireless LAN system. The wireless LAN
system includes one or more basic service sets (BSS) and the BSS
represents a set of apparatuses which are successfully synchronized
with each other to communicate with each other. In general, the BSS
may be classified into an infrastructure BSS and an independent BSS
(IBSS) and FIG. 1 illustrates the infrastructure BSS between
them.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the infrastructure BSS (BSS1 and
BSS2) includes one or more stations STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, and
STA5, access points PCP/AP-1 and PCP/AP-2 which are stations
providing a distribution service, and a distribution system (DS)
connecting the multiple access points PCP/AP-1 and PCP/AP-2.
[0054] The station (STA) is a predetermined device including medium
access control (MAC) following a regulation of an IEEE 802.11
standard and a physical layer interface for a wireless medium, and
includes both a non-access point (non-AP) station and an access
point (AP) in a broad sense. Further, in the present specification,
a term `terminal` may be used to refer to a concept including a
wireless LAN communication device such as non-AP STA, or an AP, or
both terms. A station for wireless communication includes a
processor and a transceiver and according to the embodiment, may
further include a user interface unit and a display unit. The
processor may generate a frame to be transmitted through a wireless
network or process a frame received through the wireless network
and besides, perform various processing for controlling the
station. In addition, the transceiver is functionally connected
with the processor and transmits and receives frames through the
wireless network for the station.
[0055] The access point (AP) is an entity that provides access to
the distribution system (DS) via wireless medium for the station
associated therewith. In the infrastructure BSS, communication
among non-AP stations is, in principle, performed via the AP, but
when a direct link is configured, direct communication is enabled
even among the non-AP stations. Meanwhile, in the present
invention, the AP is used as a concept including a personal BSS
coordination point (PCP) and may include concepts including a
centralized controller, a base station (BS), a node-B, a base
transceiver system (BTS), and a site controller in a broad
sense.
[0056] A plurality of infrastructure BSSs may be connected with
each other through the distribution system (DS). In this case, a
plurality of BSSs connected through the distribution system is
referred to as an extended service set (ESS).
[0057] FIG. 2 illustrates an independent BSS which is a wireless
communication system according to another embodiment of the present
invention. For convenience of description, another embodiment of
the present invention is described through the wireless LAN system.
In the embodiment of FIG. 2, duplicative description of parts,
which are the same as or correspond to the embodiment of FIG. 1,
will be omitted.
[0058] Since a BSS3 illustrated in FIG. 2 is the independent BSS
and does not include the AP, all stations STA6 and STA7 are not
connected with the AP. The independent BSS is not permitted to
access the distribution system and forms a self-contained network.
In the independent BSS, the respective stations STA6 and STA7 may
be directly connected with each other.
[0059] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
station 100 according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the station 100 according to the
embodiment of the present invention may include a processor 110, a
transceiver 120, a user interface unit 140, a display unit 150, and
a memory 160.
[0061] First, the transceiver 120 transmits and receives a wireless
signal such as a wireless LAN physical layer frame, or the like and
may be embedded in the station 100 or provided as an exterior.
According to the embodiment, the transceiver 120 may include at
least one transmit and receive module using different frequency
bands. For example, the transceiver 120 may include transmit and
receive modules having different frequency bands such as 2.4 GHz, 5
GHz, and 60 GHz. According to an embodiment, the station 100 may
include a transmit and receive module using a frequency band of 6
GHz or more and a transmit and receive module using a frequency
band of 6 GHz or less. The respective transmit and receive modules
may perform wireless communication with the AP or an external
station according to a wireless LAN standard of a frequency band
supported by the corresponding transmit and receive module. The
transceiver 120 may operate only one transmit and receive module at
a time or simultaneously operate multiple transmit and receive
modules together according to the performance and requirements of
the station 100. When the station 100 includes a plurality of
transmit and receive modules, each transmit and receive module may
be implemented by independent elements or a plurality of modules
may be integrated into one chip.
[0062] Next, the user interface unit 140 includes various types of
input/output means provided in the station 100. That is, the user
interface unit 140 may receive a user input by using various input
means and the processor 110 may control the station 100 based on
the received user input. Further, the user interface unit 140 may
perform output based on a command of the processor 110 by using
various output means.
[0063] Next, the display unit 150 outputs an image on a display
screen. The display unit 150 may output various display objects
such as contents executed by the processor 110 or a user interface
based on a control command of the processor 110, and the like.
Further, the memory 160 stores a control program used in the
station 100 and various resulting data. The control program may
include an access program required for the station 100 to access
the AP or the external station.
[0064] The processor 110 of the present invention may execute
various commands or programs and process data in the station 100.
Further, the processor 110 may control the respective units of the
station 100 and control data transmission/reception among the
units. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the
processor 110 may execute the program for accessing the AP stored
in the memory 160 and receive a communication configuration message
transmitted by the AP. Further, the processor 110 may read
information on a priority condition of the station 100 included in
the communication configuration message and request the access to
the AP based on the information on the priority condition of the
station 100. The processor 110 of the present invention may
represent a main control unit of the station 100 and according to
the embodiment, the processor 110 may represent a control unit for
individually controlling some component of the station 100, for
example, the transceiver 120, and the like. The processor 110 may
be a modulator and/or demodulator which modulates wireless signal
transmitted to the transceiver 120 and demodulates wireless signal
received from the transceiver 120. The processor 110 controls
various operations of wireless signal transmission/reception of the
station 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. A
detailed embodiment thereof will be described below.
[0065] The station 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a block diagram
according to an embodiment of the present invention, where separate
blocks are illustrated as logically distinguished elements of the
device. Accordingly, the elements of the device may be mounted in a
single chip or multiple chips depending on design of the device.
For example, the processor 110 and the transceiver 120 may be
implemented while being integrated into a single chip or
implemented as a separate chip. Further, in the embodiment of the
present invention, some components of the station 100, for example,
the user interface unit 140 and the display unit 150 may be
optionally provided in the station 100.
[0066] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an
AP 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the AP 200 according to the
embodiment of the present invention may include a processor 210, a
transceiver 220, and a memory 260. In FIG. 4, among the components
of the AP 200, duplicative description of parts which are the same
as or correspond to the components of the station 100 of FIG. 2
will be omitted.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 4, the AP 200 according to the present
invention includes the transceiver 220 for operating the BSS in at
least one frequency band. As described in the embodiment of FIG. 3,
the transceiver 220 of the AP 200 may also include a plurality of
transmit and receive modules using different frequency bands. That
is, the AP 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention
may include two or more transmit and receive modules among
different frequency bands, for example, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz
together. Preferably, the AP 200 may include a transmit and receive
module using a frequency band of 6 GHz or more and a transmit and
receive module using a frequency band of 6 GHz or less. The
respective transmit and receive modules may perform wireless
communication with the station according to a wireless LAN standard
of a frequency band supported by the corresponding transmit and
receive module. The transceiver 220 may operate only one transmit
and receive module at a time or simultaneously operate multiple
transmit and receive modules together according to the performance
and requirements of the AP 200.
[0069] Next, the memory 260 stores a control program used in the AP
200 and various resulting data. The control program may include an
access program for managing the access of the station. Further, the
processor 210 may control the respective units of the AP 200 and
control data transmission/reception among the units. According to
the embodiment of the present invention, the processor 210 may
execute the program for accessing the station stored in the memory
260 and transmit communication configuration messages for one or
more stations. In this case, the communication configuration
messages may include information about access priority conditions
of the respective stations. Further, the processor 210 performs an
access configuration according to an access request of the station.
The processor 210 may be a modulator and/or demodulator which
modulates wireless signal transmitted to the transceiver 220 and
demodulates wireless signal received from the transceiver 220. The
processor 210 controls various operations such as radio signal
transmission/reception of the AP 200 according to the embodiment of
the present invention. A detailed embodiment thereof will be
described below.
[0070] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process in
which a STA sets a link with an AP.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, the link between the STA 100 and the AP
200 is set through three steps of scanning, authentication, and
association in a broad way. First, the scanning step is a step in
which the STA 100 obtains access information of BSS operated by the
AP 200. A method for performing the scanning includes a passive
scanning method in which the AP 200 obtains information by using a
beacon message (S101) which is periodically transmitted and an
active scanning method in which the STA 100 transmits a probe
request to the AP (S103) and obtains access information by
receiving a probe response from the AP (S105).
[0072] The STA 100 that successfully receives wireless access
information in the scanning step performs the authentication step
by transmitting an authentication request (S107a) and receiving an
authentication response from the AP 200 (S107b). After the
authentication step is performed, the STA 100 performs the
association step by transmitting an association request (S109a) and
receiving an association response from the AP 200 (S109b).
[0073] Meanwhile, an 802.1X based authentication step (S111) and an
IP address obtaining step (S113) through DHCP may be additionally
performed. In FIG. 5, the authentication server 300 is a server
that processes 802.1X based authentication with the STA 100 and may
be present in physical association with the AP 200 or present as a
separate server.
[0074] In a specific embodiment, the AP 200 may be a wireless
communication terminal that allocates a communication medium
resource and performs scheduling in an independent network, such as
an ad-hoc network, which is not connected to an external
distribution service. In addition, the AP 200 may be at least one
of a base station, an eNB, and a transmission point TP.
[0075] The wireless communication terminal may fragment and
transmit at least one of a MAC service data unit (MSDU), an
Aggregate (A)-MSDU, and a management protocol data unit (MMPDU).
For convenience of explanation, a portion of an MSDU, a portion of
an A-MSDU, or a portion of an MMPDU, which are generated through
fragmentation, is referred to as a fragment. In addition, a
wireless communication terminal that transmits data is referred to
as an originator, and a wireless communication terminal that
receives data is referred to as a recipient.
[0076] Specifically, the wireless communication terminal may
generate a plurality of fragments by fragmenting at least one of an
MSDU, an A-MSDU, and an MMPDU. In this case, the wireless
communication terminal may transmit the generated plurality of
fragments by using a plurality of MPDUs. In addition, the wireless
communication terminal receiving a plurality of fragments may
de-fragment a plurality of fragments to obtain at least one of one
MSDU, one A-MSDU, and one MMPDU. In this case, the MPDU may be an
S-MPDU or an A-MPDU.
[0077] FIG. 6 shows a method of transmitting information on a
fragmentation level using ADDBA according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0078] The recipient needs sufficient buffer capacity and
processing capacity to de-fragment multiple fragments. For this,
the originator needs to know the fragmentation level that the
recipient may support. Therefore, the wireless communication
terminal may signal about the fragmentation level indicating the
degree of fragmentation that the wireless communication terminal is
capable of receiving. Specifically, the wireless communication
terminal transmits, during a link setup process with a wireless
communication terminal that is an AP, information on a
fragmentation level of a fragment that is receivable by the
wireless communication terminal, and receive information on the
fragmentation level of a fragment that is receivable by the
wireless communication terminal that is an AP. Specifically, the
wireless communication terminal may transmit information on the
fragmentation level through the Operation element. In a specific
embodiment, the wireless communication terminal may transmit
information on the fragmentation level via the Capabilities field
of the Operation element. In this case, the Capabilities field may
be a field indicating the capability of the wireless communication
terminal. Further, the wireless communication terminal may transmit
information on the fragmentation level through at least one of a
probe request frame, a probe response frame, an authentication
request frame, an authentication response frame, an association
request frame, and an association response frame.
[0079] In addition, the fragmentation level may be divided into
four levels. Level 0 may indicate that the wireless communication
terminal does not support fragmentation for the MSDU the wireless
communication terminal receives. Also, level 1 may indicate that
the wireless communication terminal is capable of receiving an MPDU
that includes one fragment. In this case, the MPDU may be a single
MPDU that is not aggregated with another MPDU, or an MPDU that is
not an A-MPDU. Also, level 2 may indicate that the wireless
communication terminal is capable of receiving an A-MPDU that
includes one fragment per MSDU. Specifically, level 2 may indicate
that the wireless communication terminal is capable of receiving an
A-MPDU that includes one or fewer fragments per MSDU. Level 3 may
indicate that the wireless communication terminal is capable of
receiving an A-MPDU including a plurality of fragments per MSDU.
Specifically, level 3 may indicate that the wireless communication
terminal is capable of receiving an A-MPDU that includes four or
fewer fragments per MSDU.
[0080] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a station STA transmits a probe
request frame Probe req. to an access point AP. In this case, the
station STA inserts information on the fragmentation level
supported by the station in the probe request frame Probe req. In
addition, the access point AP transmits a probe response frame
Probe resp. to the station STA. In this case, the access point AP
inserts information on the fragmentation level supported by the
access point AP in the probe response frame Probe resp.
[0081] The STA and the AP negotiate the transmission of the Block
ACK frame through the ADDBA request frame ADDBA req. and the ADDBA
response frame ADDBA resp. The station STA transmits the A-MPDU
based on the information on the fragmentation level transmitted by
the access point AP. Specifically, the station STA transmits the
A-MPDU including the fragmentation level fragment supported by the
access point AP to the access point AP based on the information on
the fragmentation level transmitted by the access point AP. The
access point AP transmits a Block Ack (BA) frame for the A-MPDU to
the station STA.
[0082] If the recipient does not include a fragment or receives an
A-MPDU including one fragment for each MSDU, the recipient may
transmit a Block ACK frame including a bitmap indicating the
receipt of each MSDU. In addition, when the recipient receives an
A-MPDU including a plurality of fragments corresponding to one
MSDU, the recipient may transmit a Block ACK frame including a
bitmap indicating whether or not each fragment is received. A
specific form of the Block ACK frame will be described with
reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. 22.
[0083] If the recipient supports fragment level 3 and fails to
receive one or more of the MPDUs included in the A-MPDU, the
recipient may not know whether the originator has transmitted
multiple fragments corresponding to one MSDU through the A-MPDU.
Therefore, a recipient supporting level 3 always needs to transmit
a Block ACK frame including a bitmap indicating whether or not each
fragment is received.
[0084] In addition, the link setup is performed only when the
wireless communication terminal accesses the new BSS. Therefore,
when transmitting information on the fragmentation level through
the link setup procedure, once the link setup is done, it is
required to perform unnecessary link setup again to reset the
fragmentation level. Therefore, it is difficult for the wireless
communication terminal to reset the fragmentation level according
to the network situation. Also, in the link setup process, it is
difficult for the wireless communication terminal to specify the
type of traffic to be received or transmitted by the wireless
communication terminal. Therefore, when the wireless communication
terminal transmits information on the fragmentation level through
link setup, it may be difficult for the wireless communication
terminal to specify a fragmentation level for each type of
traffic.
[0085] When considering these points, there is a need for a method
to efficiently transmit information on the fragmentation level and
to negotiate the fragmentation level dynamically between the
originator and the sender. Embodiments about the fragmentation
level information transmission and the fragmentation level
negotiation will be described with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG.
14.
[0086] FIG. 7 shows the format of an ADDBA request frame and an
ADDBA response frame signaling information on a fragmentation level
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0087] The originator may signal the level of fragmentation to use
during data transmission through the Add Block Acknowledgment
(ADDBA) setup procedure to set up Block ACK frame transmission. In
addition, the originator may determine the fragmentation level to
use during data transmission through the ADDBA procedure based on
information on the fragmentation level signaled by the recipient.
Specifically, the originator may transmit an ADDBA request frame
including the Block ACK frame related parameters to the recipient.
The recipient may transmit an ADDBA response frame to the
originator to configure the Block ACK frame transmission. In this
case, the ADDBA request frame and the ADDBA response frame are one
kind of action frame. Accordingly, the wireless communication
terminal may transmit the ADDBA request frame when the wireless
communication terminal is required. If the fragmentation level to
be used for data transmission is determined through an Add Block
Acknowledgment (ADDBA) procedure to set up Block ACK frame
transmission, the originator and the recipient may change the level
of fragmentation used for data transmission more flexibly.
[0088] In the ADDBA setup procedure, the originator may transmit
information on the fragmentation level that is intended to be used
when transmitting data to the recipient. Specifically, the
originator may transmit information on the fragmentation level to
use when transmitting data through the ADDBA request frame. The
information on the fragmentation level may indicate the maximum
value of the fragment level that the originator intends to use when
transmitting data. In addition, the information on the
fragmentation level may be specified for each TID. Specifically,
the originator may transmit information on the fragmentation level
to use when transmitting data corresponding to a specific TID
through the ADDBA request frame. The specific TID may be a TID
specified in the Block ACK Parameter Set of the ADDBA request
frame. For example, the originator may set the fragmentation level
which is signaled by the ADDBA request frame to level 0, to signal
that the originator does not intend to transmit the fragment when
transmitting data for that TID. For example, the originator may set
the fragmentation level which is signaled by the ADDBA request
frame to level 1 to signal that the originator does not intend to
fragment when transmitting data for the corresponding TID.
Specifically, the originator may set the level of fragmentation
which is signaled by the ADDBA request frame to level 1 to indicate
that the originator will transmit one MPDU including one fragment
when transmitting data for the corresponding TID. In this case, the
MPDU may be a single MPDU that is not aggregated with another MPDU
or an MPDU that is not an A-MPDU, as described above. For example,
the originator may set the fragmentation level which is signaled by
the ADDBA request frame to level 2to signal that the originator
intends to transmit the fragment corresponding to level 2 or lower
when transmitting data for the corresponding TID. Specifically, the
originator may set the fragmentation level which is signaled by the
ADDBA request frame to level 2 to signal that the originator
intends to transmit one or fewer fragments for each MSDU when
transmitting data for the corresponding TID via the A-MPDU. For
example, the originator may set the fragmentation level which is
signaled by the ADDBA request frame to level 3 to signal that the
originator intends to transmit the fragment corresponding to level
3 or lower when transmitting data for the corresponding TID.
Specifically, the originator may set the fragmentation level which
is signaled by the ADDBA request frame to level 3 to signal that
the originator intends to transmit four or fewer fragments for each
MSDU when the originator transmits data for the corresponding TID
via the A-MPDU.
[0089] Also, in the ADDBA setup procedure, the recipient may
transmit, to the originator, information on the fragmentation level
that the recipient is capable of supporting when receiving the
data. Specifically, the recipient may transmit information on the
fragmentation level that the recipient supports when receiving the
data through the ADDBA response frame. The information on the
fragmentation level may be the maximum value of the fragment level
of the fragment that the recipient is capable of receiving. In
addition, the information on the fragmentation level may be
specified for each TID. Specifically, the recipient may transmit
information on the fragmentation level that the recipient supports
when receiving data corresponding to a specific TID through an
ADDBA response frame. The specific TID may be a TID specified in
the Block ACK Parameter Set of the ADDBA response frame. For
example, the recipient may set the fragmentation level which is
signaled by the ADDBA response frame to level Oto signal that the
recipient is not capable of receiving the fragment when receiving
data for the corresponding TID. In addition, the recipient may set
the level of fragmentation which is signaled by the ADDBA response
frame to level 1 to signal that the recipient is only capable of
receiving fragments corresponding to level 1 or lower when
transmitting data for a corresponding TID. Specifically, the
recipient may set the level of fragmentation which is signaled by
the ADDBA response frame to level 1 to indicate that a recipient is
capable of receiving one MPDU including one fragment when receiving
data for the corresponding TID. In this case, the MPDU may be a
single MPDU that is not aggregated with another MPDU or an MPDU
that is not an A-MPDU, as described above. In addition, the
recipient may set the level of fragmentation which is signaled by
the ADDBA response frame to level 2 to signal that the recipient is
capable of receiving fragments corresponding to level 1 or level 2
when receiving data for a corresponding TID. Specifically, the
recipient may set the level of fragmentation which is signaled by
the ADDBA response frame to level 2 to signal that the recipient is
capable of receiving one MPDU including one fragment or an A-MPDU
including one or fewer fragments per MSDU. In addition, the
recipient may set the level of fragmentation which is signaled by
the ADDBA response frame to level 3 to signal that the recipient is
capable of receiving fragments corresponding to level 1, level 2,
or level 3 when receiving data for a corresponding TID.
Specifically, the recipient may set the level of fragmentation
which is signaled by the ADDBA response frame to level 3 to signal
that the recipient is capable of receiving one MPDU including one
fragment or an A-MPDU including four or fewer fragments per
MSDU.
[0090] The originator may receive information on the fragmentation
level from the recipient. Specifically, the originator may receive
the ADDBA response frame and obtain information on the
fragmentation level which is signaled by the ADDBA response frame.
The originator may determine the level of fragmentation to use when
transmitting data based on information on the fragmentation level
obtained. Specifically, the originator may transmit data by
fragmenting the data to be below the fragmentation level indicated
by the information on the obtained fragmentation level. In
addition, the recipient may select the bitmap format of the Block
ACK frame based on the determined fragmentation level. After the
recipient receives the data, the recipient may transmit a Block ACK
frame with the selected bitmap format to the originator. Also,
until the fragmentation level is changed again through the ADDBA
procedure, the originator may operate based on the determined
fragmentation level. Specifically, until the originator receives
information on the fragmentation level through the new ADDBA setup
procedure, the originator may operate based on the previously
determined fragmentation level. In a specific embodiment, the
originator may transmit a new ADDBA request frame, and until a new
ADDBA response frame is received, the originator may operate based
on the determined fragmentation level. Until the fragmentation
level is changed again through the ADDBA procedure, the recipient
may also operate based on the determined fragmentation level. In
addition, the originator may operate according to the fragmentation
level determined through the ADDBA procedure, regardless of the
fragmentation level information transmitted during link setup. The
recipient may also operate according to the fragmentation level
determined through the ADDBA procedure, regardless of the
fragmentation level information transmitted during link setup.
[0091] In another specific embodiment, the originator may request,
from the recipient, a fragmentation level that is less than or
equal to the fragmentation level which is signaled by the recipient
in the link setup process. Specifically, the originator may signal
that the fragmentation level, which is less than or equal to the
fragmentation level signaled by the recipient during link setup,
will be used for data to be transmitted to the recipient. In
addition, the recipient may signal that the recipient is capable of
receiving a fragmentation level that is less than or equal to the
fragmentation level which is requested by the originator.
[0092] In a specific embodiment, the originator and recipient may
transmit information on the fragmentation level via the ADDBA
Capabilities field, which is included in the ADDBA request frame
and the ADDBA response frame. In this case, the ADDBA Capabilities
field may include a Multiple Fragmentation field indicating the
fragmentation level. The Multiple Fragmentation field may be a
one-bit field indicating whether the fragmentation level is a level
lower than level 2 or a level higher than level 2. In another
specific embodiment, the Multiple Fragmentation field may be a
2-bit field indicating which level the fragmentation level is from
level 0 to level 3. The format of the specific ADDBA request frame
and the ADDBA response frame may be as shown in FIG. 7(a). In
addition, the format of the ADDBA Capabilities field may be as
shown in FIGS. 7(b) and 7(c).
[0093] FIG. 8 shows a MAC frame format for signaling information on
a fragmentation level according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0094] The originator may transmit information on the fragmentation
level through the MPDU that includes the data. Specifically, the
originator may transmit information on the fragmentation level
through the Sequence Control field of the MPDU that includes the
data. The legacy wireless communication terminal may fragment and
transmit one MSDU to a maximum of 16 fragments. Therefore, in the
sequence control field of the MPDU, the legacy wireless
communication terminal sets the Fragment Number field indicating
the fragment number as a 4-bit field. The wireless communication
terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention may
fragment and transmit one MSDU to a maximum of four fragments.
Therefore, in the sequence control field of the MPDU, the wireless
communication terminal according to the embodiment of the present
invention may set the Fragment Number field indicating the fragment
number as a 2-bit field. In this case, the wireless communication
terminal may set the remaining 2 bits as the Multiple Fragmentation
field indicating the fragmentation level or the reserved bit.
Specifically, the Multiple Fragmentation field may be a one-bit
field indicating whether the fragmentation level is a level lower
than level 2 or a level higher than level 2. In another specific
embodiment, the Multiple Fragmentation field may be a 2-bit field
indicating which level the fragmentation level is from level 0 to
level 3. The format of the specific MPDU may be the same as that
shown in FIG. 8(a). In addition, the format of the Sequence Control
field may be the same as that shown in FIG. 8(b). In another
specific embodiment, the originator may transmit information on the
fragmentation level through the header of the MPDU including the
data. In this case, the originator may transmit information on the
fragmentation level through the Frame Control element of the header
of the MPDU including the data.
[0095] The recipient may select the Block ACK frame format based on
the ADDBA response frame. In this case, the recipient may transmit
the Block ACK frame for the data transmitted by the originator
according to the selected Block ACK frame format. Specifically, if
the originator indicates the fragmentation level for each MPDU
including the data, the recipient may clearly recognize the
fragmentation level used for the data transmission received by the
recipient. Therefore, the recipient may select the Block ACK frame
format according to the fragmentation level. In this case, the
recipient may transmit the Block ACK frame for the data transmitted
by the originator according to the selected Block ACK frame
format.
[0096] FIG. 9 shows the format of an ADDBA response frame and an
ADDBA request frame signaling information on a fragmentation level
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0097] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the recipient may
signal information on the fragmentation level through the Buffer
Size field, rather than the ADDBA Capabilities field of the ADDBA
response frame. Specifically, the recipient may set some bits in
the Buffer Size field of the ADDBA response frame to signal
information on the fragmentation level. In a specific embodiment,
the LSB 1 bit or the MSB 1 bit of the Buffer Size field of the
ADDBA response frame may be set to signal the information on the
fragmentation level. In this case, the information on the
fragmentation level may indicate whether the fragmentation level is
lower than level 2 or higher than level 2. In another specific
embodiment, the recipient may set the LSB 2 bits or the MSB 2 bits
of the Buffer Size field of the ADDBA response frame to signal
information on the fragmentation level. In this case, the
information on the fragmentation level may indicate the level from
the level 0 to the level 3 of the fragmentation level.
[0098] Specifically, the recipient may implicitly signal
information on the fragmentation level through the size of the
value represented by the Buffer Size field of the ADDBA response
frame. For example, when the value of the Buffer Size field is 0,
the Buffer Size field may indicate that the fragmentation level is
level 0. Additionally, when the value of the Buffer Size field is
1, the Buffer Size field may indicate that the fragmentation level
is level 1. Also, when the value of the Buffer Size field is
greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 63, the Buffer
Size field may indicate that the fragmentation level is level 2.
Also, when the value of the Buffer Size field is greater than or
equal to 64 and less than or equal to 1023, the Buffer Size field
may indicate that the fragmentation level is level 3.
[0099] In addition, the originator may also signal information on
the fragmentation level through the Buffer Size field of the ADDBA
request frame. In this case, the format of the Buffer Size field
and the signaling method may be the same as those of the
above-described embodiments in which the recipient signals
information on the fragmentation level through the ADDBA response
frame.
[0100] Also, the originator and the recipient may signal
information on the fragmentation level for each TID as described in
FIG. 7. In this case, the TID may be specified by the Block ACK
Parameter Set field.
[0101] The format of the specific ADDBA response frame and ADDBA
request frame may be the same as that in the embodiment of FIG.
9(a). In addition, the format of the Block ACK Parameter Set field
may be the same as that in the embodiment of FIG. 9(b).
[0102] FIG. 10 shows the format of an ADDBA response frame and an
ADDBA request frame signaling information on a fragmentation level
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0103] When the ADDBA response frame sets Block ACK frame
transmission for a plurality of TIDs, the recipient may set the
sub-field of the Block ACK Parameter Set field to indicate that
information on the corresponding fragmentation level is applied to
all TIDs for which Block ACK frame transmission is set by the ADDBA
response frame. In this case, a sub-field of the Block ACK
Parameter Set field may be referred to as an All TID field. The All
TID field may be a 1-bit field.
[0104] Also, when the ADDBA request frame sets Block ACK frame
transmission for a plurality of TIDs, the originator may set the
sub-field of the Block ACK Parameter Set field to indicate that
information on the corresponding fragmentation level is applied to
all TIDs indicated by the ADDBA response frame. In this case, a
sub-field of the Block ACK Parameter Set field set by the
originator may be referred to as an All TID field. The All TID
field may be a 1-bit field.
[0105] The format of the specific ADDBA response frame and the
ADDBA request frame is the same as that in the embodiment of FIG.
10(a), and the format of the Block ACK Parameter Set field may be
the same as that in the embodiment of FIG. 10(b). The operation of
the originator and recipient except for the setting of the All TID
field may be the same as the operation of originator and recipient
in the embodiment of FIG. 9. In addition, the format of the ADDBA
request frame and the format of the ADDBA response frame, which
exclude the All TID field, may be the same as the format of the
ADDBA request frame and the format of the ADDBA response frame
described in the embodiment of FIG. 9.
[0106] In the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 7 to
10, the originator and the recipient exchange information on the
fragmentation level based on a one-to-one. Also, when transmitting
information on the fragmentation level by using the ADDBA
procedure, the fragmentation level to be used for data transmission
is determined through the 4-way handshake. Therefore, it may take a
relatively long time to determine the fragmentation level to be
used for data transmission. When the wireless communication
terminal transmits information on the fragmentation level through
the trigger frame, one wireless communication terminal may transmit
information on the fragmentation level to a plurality of wireless
communication terminals. Also, within a relatively short period of
time, the fragmentation level to be used for data transmission may
be determined. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to
12.
[0107] FIG. 11 shows the format of a trigger frame that signals
information on a fragmentation level according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0108] The wireless communication terminal may transmit information
on the fragmentation level through the trigger frame. In this case,
the trigger frame may trigger uplink multi-user (UL MU)
transmission. Specifically, the information on the fragmentation
level signaled through the trigger frame may indicate the level of
fragmentation that the wireless communication terminal transmitting
the trigger frame supports in receiving the data. In a specific
embodiment, information on the fragmentation level signaled through
the trigger frame may indicate the level of fragmentation that the
wireless communication terminal transmitting the trigger frame
supports when receiving data based on the trigger frame. A field
indicating information on the fragmentation level may be referred
to as a Multiple Fragments field. In a specific embodiment, the
wireless communication terminal may insert a Multiple Fragments
field into the Common Info field of the trigger frame. In this
case, the format of the trigger frame may be the same as that in
the embodiment of FIG. 11(a). For example, the wireless
communication terminal may insert a Multiple Fragments field into
the Trigger Dependent Common Info field of the trigger frame, as in
the embodiment of FIG. 11(c). In another specific embodiment, the
wireless communication terminal may insert a Multiple Fragments
field in addition to the Trigger Dependent Common Info field in the
Common Info field, as in the embodiment of FIG. 11(b).
[0109] As in the above-describe embodiments, the Multiple
Fragmentation field may be a one-bit field indicating whether the
fragmentation level is a level lower than level 2 or a level higher
than level 2. In another specific embodiment, the Multiple
Fragmentation field may be a 2-bit field indicating which level the
fragmentation level is from level 0 to level 3.
[0110] Since the Common Info field of the trigger frame is commonly
applied to wireless communication terminals receiving the trigger
frame, the wireless communication terminal signals information on
the same fragmentation level to all of the plurality of wireless
communication terminals receiving the trigger frame. It may be
inefficient to apply the same fragmentation level because the
processing capability may differ between wireless communication
terminals. Accordingly, there is a need for a method through which
a wireless communication terminal may individually signal
information on a level of fragmentation to each of a plurality of
wireless communication terminals. This will be described with
reference to FIG. 12.
[0111] FIG. 12 shows the format of a trigger frame that signals
information on a fragmentation level according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0112] The wireless communication terminal may signal information
on the fragmentation level applied to the wireless communication
terminal corresponding to the Per User Info field through the Per
User Info field of the trigger frame. In this case, the format of
the information on the fragmentation level may be the same as that
in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 11. The format
of the information on the fragmentation level may be the same as
that in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 11.
Specifically, the information on the fragmentation level may be
information on the fragmentation level limit to be used for data
transmission based on the trigger frame. A field indicating
information on the fragmentation level may be referred to as a
Multiple Fragments field. A field indicating information on the
fragmentation level may be referred to as a Multiple Fragments
field.
[0113] The format of the trigger frame may be the same as that in
the embodiment of FIG. 12(a). Specifically, the wireless
communication terminal may insert a Multiple Fragments field into
the Trigger Dependent Per User Info field as in the embodiment of
FIG. 12(c). In another specific embodiment, the wireless
communication terminal may insert a Multiple Fragments field in a
Per User Info field other than the Trigger Dependent Per User Info
field as in the embodiment of FIG. 12(b). The format of the
specific Multiple Fragments field may be as described in the
embodiment of FIG. 11.
[0114] If the originator allows a relatively high fragmentation
level, the originator may generate fragments of various lengths and
then selectively transmit the fragments according to the length of
the A-MPDU. In this case, a wireless communication terminal having
a relatively low processing capability may also rapidly transmit
A-MPDUs of various lengths. For this, the recipient may allow the
originator to have a relatively high fragmentation level,
considering the processing capabilities of the originator. For this
operation, the originator needs a way to signal the recipient's
processing capability of the originator. This will be described
with reference to FIG. 13.
[0115] FIG. 13 shows a format of a Capabilities element for
signaling information indicating the processing capability of a
wireless communication terminal according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0116] The wireless communication terminal may signal information
indicating a request for permitting transmission of multiple
fragments in the link setup process. In this case, the wireless
communication terminal having received the information indicating
the request for permitting the transmission of the multiple
fragments may determine the fragmentation level allowed for the
wireless communication terminal that transmitted the information
indicating the request for permitting the transmission of the
multiple fragments, based on the information indicating the request
to permit transmission of multiple fragments. Specifically, the
wireless communication terminal that has received the information
indicating the request for permitting the transmission of the
multiple fragments may determine the fragmentation level that is
allowed for the wireless communication terminal that has
transmitted the information indicating the request for permitting
the transmission of the multiple fragments, as level 2.
[0117] Specifically, the wireless communication terminal may signal
information indicating the processing capability of the wireless
communication terminal as information indicating a request for
permitting transmission of multiple fragments through any one of
the authentication request frame, the association request frame,
and the probe request frame. In a specific embodiment, the wireless
communication terminal may signal information indicating the
request for permitting the transmission the multiple fragments
through a Capabilities element. In a specific embodiment, the
wireless communication terminal may insert a Low Processing field
indicating the request for permitting the transmission of the
multiple fragments to be transmitted to the Capabilities element.
For example, when the value of the Low Processing field is 1, the
Low Processing field may indicate that multiple fragment transfer
permission is requested.
[0118] It may be prioritized whether the wireless communication
terminal that has received the information indicating the request
for permitting the transmission of the multiple fragments is
capable of receiving a plurality of fragments than whether the
permitting of transmission of the multiple fragments is requested
in the fragmentation level determination. That is because
transmission of the fragment may be not allowed when the recipient
is not capable of receiving the fragment. Therefore, the wireless
communication terminal having received the information indicating
the request for transmitting the multiple fragments may not permit
the transmission of the multiple fragments even when the permission
of the transmission of the multiple fragments is requested.
Specifically, the wireless communication terminal having received
the information indicating the request for transmitting the
plurality of fragments may set the fragmentation level to level 0
or level 1 even when permission of the transmission of the multiple
fragments is requested.
[0119] FIG. 14 shows a Block ACK frame format according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0120] The recipient may transmit the receipt of multiple MPDUs
transmitted by the originator in one Block ACK frame. The recipient
may increase the transmission efficiency by transmitting the Block
ACK frame and transmitting the ACK for each MPDU. The Block ACK
frame includes a BA Information field including information on
whether or not the MPDU is received. The format of the concrete
Block ACK frame may be the same as that in the embodiment of FIG.
14(b). In this case, the BA Information field may include a Block
ACK Bitmap field. The format of the specific BA Information field
may be the same as that in the embodiment of FIG. 14(c). In
addition, the format of the BA Control field may be the same as
that in the embodiment of FIG. 14(a).
[0121] The Block ACK Bitmap field is a bitmap indicating whether or
not the data is received described above. A legacy wireless
communication terminal may transmit one MSDU in up to 16 fragments.
Therefore, the legacy wireless communication terminal may indicate
whether or not the fragments included in each of 64 MSDUs are
received by using the Block ACK Bitmap field having a length of 128
bytes. Specifically, the legacy wireless communication terminal
allocates 1024 bits of the Block ACK Bitmap field to each fragment
included in the MSDU, and sets a bit corresponding to the received
fragment to 1. The legacy wireless communication terminal may
indicate whether or not all fragments are received through the
block ACK Bitmap field. Therefore, the legacy wireless
communication terminal sets the Fragment Number field of the Block
ACK Starting Sequence Control field to the reserved field and may
use only the Sequence Number field. The concrete format of the
Block ACK Starting Sequence Control field may be the same as that
in the embodiment of FIG. 14(d).
[0122] The wireless communication terminal according to the
embodiment of the present invention may fragment one MSDU into up
to four fragments as described above. In addition, the number of
fragments that the wireless communication terminal may generate by
fragmenting the MSDU varies depending on the fragmentation level.
Therefore, the wireless communication terminal may change the
display method of the Block ACK Bitmap field according to the
fragmentation level. Specifically, when the level of fragmentation
applied to the data received by the wireless communication terminal
is lower than level 3, the wireless communication terminal may set
each bit of the Block ACK Bitmap field to indicate whether the MSDU
is received or not. In addition, when the fragmentation level
applied to the data received by the wireless communication terminal
is level 3, the wireless communication terminal may set each bit of
the Block ACK Bitmap field to indicate whether or not each of the
fragments is received. This will be described with reference to
FIGS. 15 to 21.
[0123] FIG. 15 shows a method of transmitting a Block ACK frame
according to an embodiment of the present invention by a wireless
communication terminal supporting fragmentation level: level 3.
[0124] Even if the originator may use level 3 as the fragmentation
level, the recipient may determine the format of the Block BA
Bitmap field based on the fragment number of the received fragment.
Specifically, when the fragment number of the fragment received by
the recipient is all 0, the recipient may transmit a Block ACK
frame including the Block ACK Bitmap field indicating whether each
bit is received by the recipient to the originator. In this
embodiment, even if the originator transmits an A-MPDU including
the fragment, when a Block ACK frame including a Block ACK Bitmap
field indicating whether each bit is received by a sequence is
received, the originator may determine the received Block ACK frame
as a Block ACK frame indicating whether the fragment number of the
received fragment is 0 or not. When the fragment number of any of
the multiple fragments received by the recipient is not 0, the
recipient may transmit a Block ACK frame including a Block ACK
Bitmap field indicating whether each bit is received by a
fragment.
[0125] In the embodiment of FIG. 15(a), the recipient receives an
MPDU including a fragment with a fragment number of 0 and an
unformatted MSDU. Specifically, the recipient receives a fragment
whose sequence number is 31 and whose fragment number is 0. Since
the fragment number of the fragment received by the recipient is
all 0, the recipient transmits a Block ACK frame of which each bit
of the Block ACK Bitmap field indicates whether or not the MSDU is
received. Then, the recipient receives the MPDU including the
multiple fragments and the non-fragmented MSDUs. In this case,
among the fragments received by the recipient, a fragment whose
number is 1 not 0 is included. Therefore, the recipient transmits a
Block ACK frame of which each bit of the Block ACK Bitmap field
indicates whether or not the fragment is received.
[0126] In addition, in the embodiment of FIG. 15(b), the recipient
receives an MPDU including multiple fragments and non-fragmented
MSDUs. In this case, among the fragments received by the recipient,
a fragment whose number is 1 not 0 is included. Therefore, the
recipient transmits a Block ACK frame of which each bit of the
Block ACK Bitmap field indicates whether or not the fragment is
received.
[0127] FIG. 16 shows a method of transmitting a Block ACK frame
according to another embodiment of the present invention by a
wireless communication terminal supporting fragmentation level:
level 3.
[0128] When the fragment number of the received fragment is all 0,
regardless of the intended fragmentation level of the originator,
the recipient may transmit a Block ACK frame including a Block ACK
Bitmap field of which each bit indicates whether a sequence is
received. In addition, the recipient may determine the
fragmentation level intended by the originator through the
embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 14. Further,
another operation of the recipient may follow the embodiment
described with reference to FIG. 15.
[0129] In the embodiment of FIG. 16, the recipient only receives
MPDUs that include fragments with a fragment number of 0 and
non-fragmented MSDUs. The originator transmits one frame with a
sequence number of 31, one with a fragment number of 1, two frames
with a sequence number of 33 and a fragment number of 1 and 2,
respectively, but the recipient does not receive three fragments.
Therefore, the recipient only receives fragments whose fragment
number is 0. Accordingly, the recipient transmits a Block ACK frame
including a Block ACK Bitmap field of which each bit indicates
whether a sequence is received.
[0130] FIG. 17 shows a method of transmitting a Block ACK frame
according to another embodiment of the present invention by a
wireless communication terminal supporting fragmentation level:
level 3.
[0131] When the recipient receives all MSDUs corresponding to a
specific TID, even if one MSDU corresponding to the corresponding
TID is fragmented, the recipient may transmit a Block ACK frame
including the Block ACK Bitmap field of which each bit indicates
whether a sequence corresponding to the corresponding TID is
received. In this case, the recipient may determine whether all
MSDUs corresponding to the specific TID have been received based on
the sequence number, the fragment number, and the More Fragment
field. Also, when the recipient does not receive any fragment, the
recipient may transmit a Block ACK frame indicating whether each
bit of the Block ACK Bitmap field indicates receipt of the
fragment. However, when the recipient does not receive all MSDUs
corresponding to a specific sequence number, the recipient may
transmit a Block ACK frame including a Block ACK Bitmap field
indicating whether each bit is received by a sequence. In this
embodiment, the originator may easily determine whether the
originator fragments and transmits the data to the recipient.
Therefore, even when the recipient transmits a Block ACK frame
including a Block ACK Bitmap field of each bit indicates whether a
sequence is received, the originator may clearly determine whether
the recipient has received the fragment transmitted by the
originator.
[0132] In the embodiment of FIG. 17, the originator fragments some
of the MSDUs corresponding to the TID value of 1 and transmits the
fragments to the recipient. The recipient receives all of the MSDUs
for TID value 1 (sequence numbers 31 to 63). Specifically, the
recipient receives the MSDU corresponding to the sequence number
31, 33, 63, etc. as a fragment. The recipient transmits a Block ACK
frame for TID value 1. In this case, since the recipient has
received all the MSDUs for the TID value 1, the recipient sets each
bit of the Block ACK Bitmap field of the Block ACK frame for the
TID value 1 to indicate whether the MSDU is received or not.
[0133] FIGS. 18 to 20 show a method of transmitting a Block ACK
frame indicating All ACK according to another embodiment of the
present invention by a wireless communication terminal supporting a
fragmentation level: level 3.
[0134] Even if at least one MSDU corresponding to a specific TID is
fragmented, in a case where the recipient receives all the MPDUs in
the A-MPDU, the recipient may transmit a Block ACK frame indicating
All ACK. All MPDUs in the A-MPDU may include not only a specific
TID but also other TIDs. In this case, when the recipient receives
all the MSDUs corresponding to the specific TID and receives all
the MPDUs corresponding to the different TIDs in the corresponding
A-MPDU, the recipient may determine that all the MPDUs in the
A-MPDU have been received. In this case, even if the value of the
More Fragment field of the fragment corresponding to the specific
TID last received by the recipient is 1, in a case where the
recipient receives all the other MPDUs transmitted following the
last fragment, the recipient may determine that all of the MPDUs
corresponding to the corresponding TID included in the
corresponding A-MPDU have been received. In this case, the
recipient may transmit a Block ACK frame including a Block ACK
Bitmap field of which each bit indicates whether or not the MSDU is
received. Also, when the recipient receives both the MPDU
corresponding to the TID different from the specific TID as
described above, the recipient may transmit a Block ACK frame
indicating All ACK.
[0135] In addition, the Block ACK frame indicating the All ACK is a
Block ACK frame indicating that the MPDU for all the TIDs indicated
by the Block ACK frame is received without including the Block ACK
Bitmap field. Specifically, the recipient may insert the
originator's AID into the Per AID TID Info field, set the ACK type
to a value indicating All ACK, and insert the corresponding
TID.
[0136] In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the originator fragments some
of the MSDUs corresponding to the TID value of 1 and transmits the
fragments to the recipient as in the embodiment of FIG. 17. The
recipient STA1 receives all of the MSDUs for TID value 1 (sequence
numbers 31 to 63). In this case, the recipient STA1 receives all
the MPDUs in the A-MPDU transmitting the MSDU for the TID value 1.
Therefore, the recipient STA1 inserts the TID value 1 and the AID
indicating the recipient STA1, sets the ACK type to All ACK, and
transmits the Block ACK frame.
[0137] In the embodiment of FIG. 19, the recipient STA1 receives
the MSDU corresponding to the TID value 1 (sequence numbers 31 to
63). In this case, the value of the More Fragment field of the last
received fragment (sequence number 63, fragment number 1) of the
fragment whose recipient STA1 corresponds to TID value 1 is 1. In
this case, the recipient STA1 determines that all the fragments
corresponding to TID 1 transmitted in the A-MPDU are received based
on the reception of all the MPDUs transmitted after the
corresponding fragment (sequence number 63, fragment number 1) in
the A-MPDU. Therefore, the recipient STA1 inserts the TID value 1
and the AID indicating the recipient STA1, sets the ACK type to All
ACK, and transmits the Block ACK frame.
[0138] In the embodiment of FIG. 20, the recipient STA1 receives
the MSDU corresponding to the TID value 1 (sequence numbers 31 to
63). However, the recipient STA1 does not receive the fragment
corresponding to the sequence number 64 and the fragment number 0.
In this case, the recipient STA1 recognizes that the specific MPDU
has not been received and may not determine which fragment is not
received. Therefore, the recipient STA1 sets a Block ACK Bitmap
field to indicate whether the MSDU is received or not, and
transmits a Block ACK frame for the TID value 1.
[0139] FIG. 21 shows an operation in which a wireless communication
terminal supporting a fragmentation level: level 3 transmits a
Block ACK frame including a Block ACK Bitmap field indicating
whether a fragment is received according to another embodiment of
the present invention.
[0140] When the conditions of the embodiments described above
through FIGS. 18 to 20 are not satisfied, the recipient may
transmit a Block ACK frame including a Block ACK Bitmap field of
which each bit indicates whether the fragment is received, for a
specific TID.
[0141] In the embodiment of FIG. 21(a), the recipient does not
receive a fragment corresponding to a specific TID, and having a
sequence number of 64 and a fragment number of 0. The recipient
receives a fragment corresponding to a specific TID, and having a
sequence number of 64 and a fragment number of 1, and then the
recipient recognizes that a fragment having a sequence number of 64
and a fragment number of 0 is not received. Therefore, the
recipient transmits a Block ACK frame including a Block ACK Bitmap
field of which each bit indicates whether or not a fragment to a
specific TID is received, for a specific TID.
[0142] In the embodiment of FIG. 21(b), the recipient does not
receive a fragment corresponding to a specific TID, and having a
sequence number of 33 and a fragment number of 2. The recipient
receives a fragment corresponding to the specific TID and having a
sequence number of 33 or greater, and then the recipient may
recognize that a fragment whose sequence number is 33 and whose
fragment number 2 is not received. Therefore, the recipient
transmits a Block ACK frame including a Block ACK Bitmap field of
which each bit indicates whether or not a fragment is received, for
a specific TID.
[0143] In the embodiment of FIG. 21(c), the recipient receives a
fragment corresponding to a specific TID, and having a sequence
number of 63 and a fragment number of 1 and dose not receive the
MPDU transmitted later. In this case, since the value of the More
Fragment field of the last transmitted fragment is 1, the recipient
may not determine whether all fragments corresponding to a specific
TID and transmitted in the A-MPDU are received. Therefore, the
recipient transmits a Block ACK frame including a Block ACK Bitmap
field of which each bit indicates whether or not a fragment
received, for a specific TID.
[0144] FIG. 22 shows the operation of a wireless communication
terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0145] As described above, the originator 2201 may transmit the
first information on the fragmentation level to the recipient 2203
in the ADDBA setup procedure. Specifically, the originator 2201 may
transmit an ADDBA request frame including the first information on
the fragmentation level to the recipient 2203 (S2201).
Specifically, the originator 2201 may insert the first information
on the fragmentation level to be used in transmission of the data
to the recipient 2203 in the ADDBA request frame. The originator
2201 transmits the corresponding ADDBA request frame to the
recipient 2203. The first information may be specified for each
TID. Specifically, the first information may relate to the
fragmentation level that the originator 2201 intends to use when
transmitting data corresponding to a specific TID to the recipient
2203. In a specific embodiment, the specific TID may be a TID
specified in the Block ACK Parameter Set of the ADDBA request
frame.
[0146] Also, the first information may indicate the maximum value
of the fragmentation level that the originator 2201 will use when
transmitting data to the recipient 2203. Specifically, the
originator 2201 may set the fragmentation level which is signaled
by the first information to level 0 to signal that the originator
2201 does not fragment data when transmitting the data for the
corresponding TID. In addition, the originator 2201 may set the
fragmentation level which is signaled by the first information to
level 1 to signal that the originator intends to transmit the
fragment corresponding to level 1 or lower when transmitting data
for the corresponding TID. Specifically, the originator 2201 may
set the fragmentation level which is signaled by the first
information to level 1 to indicate that the originator 2201 will
transmit one MPDU including one fragment when transmitting data for
the corresponding TID. In this case, the MPDU may be a single MPDU
that is not aggregated with another MPDU or an MPDU that is not an
A-MPDU, as described above. In addition, the originator 2201 may
set the fragmentation level which is signaled by the first
information to level 2 to signal that the originator 2201 intends
to transmit the fragment corresponding to level 2 or lower when
transmitting data for the corresponding TID. Specifically, the
originator 2201 may set the fragmentation level which is signaled
by the first information to level 2 to signal that the originator
2201 intends to transmit one or fewer fragments for each MSDU when
transmitting data for the corresponding TID through the A-MPDU. In
addition, the originator 2201 may set the fragmentation level which
is signaled by the first information to level 3 to signal that the
originator intends to transmit the fragment corresponding to level
3 or lower when transmitting data for the corresponding TID.
Specifically, the originator 2201 may set the fragmentation level
which is signaled by the first information to level 3 to signal
that the originator 2201 intends to transmit four or fewer
fragments for each MSDU when transmitting data for the
corresponding TID through the A-MPDU.
[0147] When the originator 2201 transmits an ADDBA request frame
including the first information to the recipient 2203, the
originator 2201 may insert the first information into the ADDBA
Capabilities field included in the ADDBA request frame.
Specifically, the ADDBA Capabilities field may include a Multiple
Fragmentation field indicating the fragmentation level as in the
embodiment described with reference to FIG. 7. The Multiple
Fragmentation field may be a one-bit field indicating whether the
fragmentation level is a level lower than level 2 or a level higher
than level 2. In another specific embodiment, the Multiple
Fragmentation field may be a 2-bit field indicating which level the
fragmentation level is from level 0 to level 3.
[0148] The originator 2201 may insert the first information into
the Buffer Size field, which is not the ADDBA Capabilities field of
the ADDBA request frame, as in the embodiment described with
reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 10. Specifically, the originator 2201
may set some bits of the Buffer Size field of the ADDBA request
frame to signal the first information. In a specific embodiment,
the LSB 1 bit or the MSB 1 bit of the Buffer Size field of the
ADDBA request frame may be set to signal the first information. In
this case, the first information may indicate whether the
fragmentation level is lower than level 2 or higher than level 2.
In another specific embodiment, the originator 2201 may set the LSB
2 bits or the MSB 2 bits of the Buffer Size field of the ADDBA
request frame to signal information on the fragmentation level. In
this case, the information on the fragmentation level may indicate
the level from the level 0 to the level 3 of the fragmentation
level.
[0149] In another specific embodiment, the originator 2201 may
implicitly signal information on the fragmentation level through
the magnitude of the value represented by the Buffer Size field of
the ADDBA request frame. For example, when the value of the Buffer
Size field is 0, the Buffer Size field may indicate that the
fragmentation level is level 0. Additionally, when the value of the
Buffer Size field is 1, the Buffer Size field may indicate that the
fragmentation level is level 1. Also, when the value of the Buffer
Size field is greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to
63, the Buffer Size field may indicate that the fragmentation level
is level 2. Also, when the value of the Buffer Size field is
greater than or equal to 64 and less than or equal to 1023, the
Buffer Size field may indicate that the fragmentation level is
level 3.
[0150] The recipient 2203 receives the first information from the
originator 2201 that is to transmit the data. More specifically,
the recipient 2203 may receive an ADDBA request frame from the
originator 2201 that is to transmit data. The recipient 2203 may
obtain first information on the fragmentation level that the
originator 2201 will use from the ADDBA request frame for the data
to be transmitted to the recipient 2203.
[0151] The recipient 2203 may transmit the second information on
the fragmentation level to the originator 2201. The second
information may be specified for each TID. The second information
may be information on the fragmentation level of the fragment that
the recipient 2203 may receive when the recipient 2203 receives
data corresponding to a specific TID. The specific TID may be a TID
specified in the Block ACK Parameter Set of the ADDBA response
frame. Specifically, the recipient 2203 may transmit an ADDBA
response frame (S2203) including the second information on the
fragmentation level to the originator 2201 (S2203). Specifically,
the recipient 2203 may insert the second information into the ADDBA
response frame. The recipient 2203 may transmit a corresponding
ADDBA response frame to the originator 2201.
[0152] Further, the second information may indicate the maximum
value of the level of the fragmentation that the recipient 2203 may
receive. Specifically, the second information may indicate levels 0
to 3 as described above. In a specific embodiment, the recipient
2203 may set the fragmentation level which is signaled by the ADDBA
response frame to level 0 to signal that the recipient 2203 may not
receive the fragment when receiving data for the corresponding TID.
In addition, the recipient 2203 may set the level of fragmentation
signaled by the second information to level 1 to signal that the
recipient 2203 is capable of receiving only fragments corresponding
to level 1. Specifically, the recipient 2203 may set the level of
fragmentation which is signaled by the second information to level
2 to indicate that the recipient 2203 will receive one MPDU
including one fragment when receiving data for the corresponding
TID. In addition, the recipient 2203 may set the level of
fragmentation which is signaled by the second information to level
2 to signal that the recipient 2203 may only receive fragments
corresponding to level 1 or level 2 when receiving data for a
corresponding TID. Specifically, the recipient 2203 may set the
level of fragmentation which is signaled by the second information
to level 2 to signal that the recipient 2203 receives one MPDU
including one fragment or an A-MPDU including one or fewer
fragments per MSDU. In addition, the recipient 2203 may set the
level of fragmentation signaled by the second information to level
3 to signal that the recipient 2203 is capable of receiving
fragments corresponding to level 1, level 2, or level 3 when
receiving data for a corresponding TID. Specifically, the recipient
2203 may set the level of fragmentation which is signaled by the
second information to level 3 to signal that the recipient 2203
receives one MPDU including one fragment or an A-MPDU including
four or fewer fragments per MSDU.
[0153] The recipient 2203 may insert the first information into the
ADDBA Capabilities field that the ADDBA response frame includes.
Specifically, the ADDBA Capabilities field may include a Multiple
Fragmentation field indicating the fragmentation level as in the
embodiment described with reference to FIG. 7. The Multiple
Fragmentation field may be a one-bit field indicating whether the
fragmentation level is a level lower than level 2 or a level higher
than level 2. In another specific embodiment, the Multiple
Fragmentation field may be a 2-bit field indicating which level the
fragmentation level is from level 0 to level 3.
[0154] The recipient 2203 may insert the first information into the
Buffer Size field, which is not the ADDBA Capabilities field of the
ADDBA response frame, as in the embodiment described with reference
to FIG. 9 to FIG. 10. Specifically, the recipient 2203 may set some
bits of the Buffer Size field of the ADDBA response frame to signal
the first information. In a specific embodiment, the LSB 1 bit or
the MSB 1 bit of the Buffer Size field of the ADDBA response frame
may be set to signal the first information. In this case, the first
information may indicate whether the fragmentation level is lower
than level 2 or higher than level 2. In another specific
embodiment, the recipient 2203 may set the LSB 2 bits or the MSB 2
bits of the Buffer Size field of the ADDBA response frame to signal
information on the fragmentation level. In this case, the
information on the fragmentation level may indicate the level from
the level 0 to the level 3 of the fragmentation level.
[0155] In another specific embodiment, the recipient 2203 may
implicitly signal information on the fragmentation level through
the size of the value represented by the Buffer Size field of the
ADDBA response frame. For example, when the value of the Buffer
Size field is 0, the Buffer Size field may indicate that the
fragmentation level is level 0. Additionally, when the value of the
Buffer Size field is 1, the Buffer Size field may indicate that the
fragmentation level is level 1. Also, when the value of the Buffer
Size field is greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to
63, the Buffer Size field may indicate that the fragmentation level
is level 2. Also, when the value of the Buffer Size field is
greater than or equal to 64 and less than or equal to 1023, the
Buffer Size field may indicate that the fragmentation level is
level 3.
[0156] The originator 2201 may obtain the second information from
the recipient 2203. Specifically, the originator 2201 may receive
the ADDBA response frame from the recipient 2203. The originator
2201 may obtain the second information from the ADDBA response
frame. In this case, the originator 2201 may determine the
fragmentation level of the data corresponding to the specific TID
based on the second information. Specifically, the originator 2201
may determine a fragmentation level of data corresponding to a
specific TID among data to be transmitted to the recipient 2203
based on the second information. Specifically, the originator 2201
may determine the fragmentation level of the data corresponding to
a specific TID with a fragmentation level equal to or lower than
the fragmentation level indicated by the second information.
[0157] The originator 2201 may generate a fragment by fragmenting
the data corresponding to a specific TID at a determined
fragmentation level and transmit the generated fragment to the
recipient 2203. Specifically, the originator 2201 may generate
fragments by fragmenting data corresponding to a specific TID at a
fragmentation level equal to or lower than the fragmentation level
indicated by the second information.
[0158] The recipient 2203 may receive data including the fragment
from the originator 2201. The recipient 2203 may select the Block
ACK frame format based on the ADDBA request frame received from the
originator 2201. Specifically, the recipient 2203 may select the
Block ACK frame format based on the second information. The
recipient 2203 may select the format of the bitmap included in the
Block ACK frame for each TID as in the embodiments described with
reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. 21. When the data received by the
recipient 2203 is transmitted through the A-MPDU, the A-MPDU
includes at least one fragment, and the fragment number of the
fragment is all 0, the recipient 2203 may transmit a Block ACK
frame including a bitmap of which each bit indicates whether each
MSDU is received. The specific operation of the recipient 2203 may
be the same as the embodiments described with reference to FIG. 15
to FIG. 16.
[0159] When the data received by the recipient 2203 is transmitted
through the A-MPDU and the recipient 2203 receives all the MPDUs
included in the A-MPDU, the recipient 2203 may transmit a Block ACK
frame including a bitmap of which each bit indicates whether or not
each MAC Service Data Unit (MSDU) is received. The specific
operation of the recipient 2203 may be the same as the embodiments
described with reference to FIG. 17 to FIG. 21.
[0160] Although the present invention is described by using
wireless LAN communication as an example, it is not limited thereto
and may be applied to other communication systems such as cellular
communication. Additionally, while the method, device, and system
of the present invention are described in relation to specific
embodiments thereof, some or all of the components or operations of
the present invention may be implemented using a computer system
having a general purpose hardware architecture.
[0161] The features, structures, and effects described in the above
embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention and are not necessary limited to one embodiment.
Furthermore, features, structures, and effects shown in each
embodiment may be combined or modified in other embodiments by
those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be interpreted that
contents relating to such combination and modification are included
in the range of the present invention.
[0162] While the present invention is described mainly based on the
above embodiments but is not limited thereto, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications
are made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. For example, each component specifically shown in the
embodiments may be modified and implemented. It should be
interpreted that differences relating to such modifications and
application are included in the scope of the present invention
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *